Page 52 - Interior_SPRING SUMMER FALLING_2021

52 | FRANCESCA PE NN

She’s already showered and is dressed like a few nights before. It is a different
tank, and she is wearing a bra and pajama pants. Sanya’s barelythere tanks drive me
crazy, but her current tank is the worst one so far. It reads “Beds Aren’t Just for
Sleeping.”

I scoot my chair forward to hide my crotch in case I have an unexpected pop-
up. Sanya has a hygiene schedule and based on the scent of orange blossoms, today
is exfoliation day. Her skin glows youthfully. She sucks her freshly glossed bottom
lip between her teeth, then lets out a deep breath.
“That mutherfucker, Teo, my ex-boyfriend, called.” I tense. He must have

really gotten under her skin. I don’t think I’d ever heard her cuss with such
conviction. I nod and let her speak.
Sanya peeks up at me. “Do you want me to bottom-line you?” I shake my head.
“Tell the story the way you need to.”
“When I found out where we were staying for the wedding, I used MY money
to book the best, biggest and swankiest room there. The bride has her own room at
the venue and the groom will move to it on the wedding night. We are staying next
to the venue, in a beach house that was converted into an exclusive hotel. I got what

used to be the master’s bedroom, thinking I would still have a boyfriend; it has a
jetted tub and shit like that. The bed is the only king in the house, and the rest are
queens, doubles, or two twins.” She shrugs. “I like to travel in style and such. Even
when he broke up with me, I kept the room, so I could be on the top floor like a
boss.”
I smile and nod. The words are pouring out of her, but I am able to keep up.
“Well, that asshole tried to bully me out of my room. He tried to say I was being
selfish “as usual” and that is why I am alone.” Sanya squints her eyes with renewed
anger. “Then the bastard said that since he was going to be there with his girlfriend,

he deserves the bigger room. And, I should be small enough for a twin, but he
wasn’t sure how big I’d gotten.”
I am pissed. I mean, I see red. I want to find this guy and beat his ass. I am so
angry that I am sure I resemble an overheated tea pot, steam coming out of my ears
and all. I clench and unclench my fists. She wasn’t big before and she looks amazing
now. Yet, that worthless bastard feels the need to try to shatter her self-esteem.
She breathes like a dragon protecting a princess.